This is definitely the season for some good ole fashion sweet treats. I remember waking up as a kid and smelling the aroma of my mom and dad’s holidays treats. I loved my dad’s sweet potato pies, that my grandma used to make as well, and I loved my mom’s rice Krispy treats. My favorite though, was my mom’s good-ole chocolate chip cookies. Warm, crunchy and gooey in the middle. That was always a delightful smell to wake up too.

Some things just go really well together, like cold milk and chocolate chip cookies. I use this analogy as a way to describe perfection in a business platform. As we approach the new year, it’s important to implement those “milk and cookie” concepts, the two things in business that go well together more so than standing alone. An example, also a very important dynamic dual, is Explicit Preparation and Execution. Both of these processes need to be clear and leave no room for confusion or lack of direction. Worked fully detailed and simultaneously will create great results.

Your preparation, an outline, soft business plan ( In its simplest form, a soft business plan is a guide or a roadmap for your business that outlines goals and details how you plan to achieve those goals) is one of the most value pieces in your business foundation.

Your execution as a business owner/ leader is to successfully move the organization forward and improve business performance. This requires a continuous process of reflection, analysis (metrics), planning and implementation. With these two combined, you will have two ingredients for that sweet taste of milk and cookies or whatever your favorite combination may be. The pleasant taste of success. So keep it simple. Write your plan and then execute with a mindset of being consistent and persistent, paired up for success.